Navigating parking lot safety: tips and tools for facility safety managers

Workplace parking lot safety is one of the many responsibilities owned by a facility safety manager. This means recognizing hazards and implementing preventive measures to ensure the well-being of both employees and visitors, including well-lit areas to deter criminal activity, clearly marked pedestrian walkways and proper signage for traffic flow. In addition, managers should conduct regular inspections for potential hazards such as potholes, slippery surfaces and ineffective or worn signage, and address feedback or complaints. Here are eight common parking lot safety hazards to be on the lookout for and parking lot safety tips to mitigate them, including a wide variety of parking lot signs.

Hazard #1: Distracted Driving

Distracted driving involves any activity diverting attention from operating a vehicle, such as texting, eating or using a phone. This hazard reduces driver awareness, slows reaction times and increases risk of accidents. It also poses a direct threat to pedestrians and drivers navigating your premises. Collisions within parking areas can lead to injuries and property damage. Implement anti-distracted-driving policies and promote awareness using effective signage to communicate and discourage distracted driving.

No Texting Signs

Keep drivers’ eyes off their phones and on the road with a variety of wordings, styles and sizes.

Hazard #2: Speeding and Reckless Driving

When drivers exceed safe speeds and disregard laws and safe-driving practices, they put themselves and others at risk of serious collision and injury. Implementing and enforcing speed limits, installing traffic-calming measures, and promoting responsible driving behaviors can help contribute to a safer environment. Stay vigilant and let drivers know you mean business with a variety of clear, visible and precautionary signage.

Speed Limit Signs

Get drivers’ feet off the gas with a wide variety of speed limit signs, including static, radar monitored and more.

Speed Bumps

Prevent drivers from speeding in your parking lot with Seton's wide selection of speed bumps.

Hazard # 3: Limited Visibility

Blind spots, poor lighting, weather and obstructed views compound driving challenges in already crowded areas like parking lots. Ensure adequate lighting and maintain clear sightlines whenever possible, and aid drivers and pedestrians when it’s not. Lighting, mirrors and warning signage can help. And try to proactively communicate to employees and visitors of adverse environmental factors such as fog.

Safety Mirrors

Strategically placed convex mirrors act as key visual aids to enhance visibility and precautionary actions at critical points.

Hazard #4: Improper Lane Usage

When drivers deviate from designated traffic lanes or pedestrians veer off marked crosswalks, it causes confusion, disrupts traffic and puts people and vehicles in harm’s way. Enforce proper lane usage within your parking lot to ensure smooth operations and enhance overall safety.

Pedestrian/Crosswalk Safety

Highly visible pedestrian crosswalk signs inform and direct both pedestrians and drivers of designated walking and crossing areas.

Directional Traffic Signs

Show drivers the way (and, more importantly, the wrong way) with a variety of directional signage.

Hazard #5: Wrong-Way Driving

Vehicles traveling against designated traffic flow is one of the most dangerous situations on the road. Head-on collisions pose severe risks to occupants, and in parking lots, pedestrians are more prevalent and unaware of this unseen danger. Implement preventive measures such as clear signage, one-way traffic systems and physical barriers.

Do Not Enter Signs

These signs meet MUTCD standards and stand out thanks to eye-catching colors and durable designs.

Enter Only Signs

Guide and reassure drivers of designated entrances to promote better traffic flow.

Exit Signs

Give driver's clear directions on how to safely exit your parking lots.

Hazard #6: Jaywalking

When pedestrians cross roadways and traffic lanes outside of designated crosswalks or against traffic signals, it puts them in the paths of vehicles that will be less aware of their presence. In parking lots where traffic is prevalent, visibility is reduced and traffic lanes are small, jaywalking adds risk where room for error is already miniscule. Ensure pedestrian parking lot safety and reduce confusion with clearly marked crossings and visible signage.

Pedestrian/Crosswalk Safety

Clearly marked crosswalks guide pedestrians to safe crossing areas and alert drivers that they’re approaching a pedestrian traffic area.

Hazard #7: Uncontrolled Intersections

When parking lot intersections lack signals or signs, drivers are forced to navigate without explicit right-of-way guidance. Confusion and misjudgments can lead to more collisions and accidents. Give drivers and pedestrians clear directions with traffic calming measures such as stop signs, warnings and pedestrians crossing designations.

Stop Signs

Regulate traffic flow and reduce accidents by ensuring drivers come to a complete stop and proceed cautiously.

Hazard #8: Improper and Illegal Parking

Improper and/or illegal parking can cause traffic congestion and hinder emergency response in your parking lot. Use signage to design and control parking spaces in your lot, warn of the dangers of illegal parking in fire lanes and ensure ADA parking space requirements are met.

No Parking Signs

Get your lot set up exactly how you need with a variety of wordings, styles and customizable no parking signs.

No Parking Fire Lane Signs

Keep fire lanes clear at all times to ensure unimpeded access for emergency response vehicles.

ADA Accessible Parking Signs

Meet ADA requirements with visible and easy-to-understand ADA parking signs.